Limpet - Radula marks

Common Limpet (Patella Vulgata) radula marks on a rock. .
They feed by scraping the radula ("tongue") across the rock surface.The Radula is made of chitin and is impregnated with iron oxides to make it harder. It wears as it scrapes and can be 11 times longer than the body of the limpet
Each sweep of the radula removes fine algae and leaves a grazing mark on the rock.
They have to walk over the top of their food to eat it so they only feed on seaweeds when the weeds are very small .

Limpet - Radula marks

Common Limpet (Patella Vulgata) radula marks on a rock. .
They feed by scraping the radula ("tongue") across the rock surface.The Radula is made of chitin and is impregnated with iron oxides to make it harder. It wears as it scrapes and can be 11 times longer than the body of the limpet
Each sweep of the radula removes fine algae and leaves a grazing mark on the rock.
They have to walk over the top of their food to eat it so they only feed on seaweeds when the weeds are very small .

Limpet - Radula marks

Common Limpet (Patella Vulgata) radula marks on a rock. .
They feed by scraping the radula ("tongue") across the rock surface.The Radula is made of chitin and is impregnated with iron oxides to make it harder. It wears as it scrapes and can be 11 times longer than the body of the limpet
Each sweep of the radula removes fine algae and leaves a grazing mark on the rock.
They have to walk over the top of their food to eat it so they only feed on seaweeds when the weeds are very small .